Health body to monitor PNG TB situation on July 26,2011

The World Health Organisation says it is monitoring the transfer of tuberculosis clinics from the Torres Strait to Papua New Guinea.

The decision by the Australian and Queensland governments to move the clinics has been criticised by TB specialists who fear the move could exacerbate the spread of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Until July, the Australian Government had been paying the Queensland state government to treat PNG nationals, but Queensland Health said the funding was inadequate.

In June, a spokeswoman for the Australian health department said its priority was to help PNG improve its own health services so that patients didn't need to cross the Australian border.

The World Health Organisation denies reports it is intervening, but in a media statement says it is actively involved in discussions with the PNG government.

The WHO says with appropriate planning and additional financial support, it believes PNG will be able manage TB cases, and as services improve, PNG will be handle the more complex multi-drug-resistant form of the bacterial infection.